mandatory water restrictions for the city of santa cruz this summer have been RECOMMENDED by the city water department. recent surveys have shown that river runoff is well below normal for this time of year, due to the unusually dry winter. water conservation officials expect the city to fall under stage 1 water shortage alert starting on may 1st. if the water cutbacks are approved by the city council, water use would be cut by 5 percent and the hours residents could water their lawns would be shortened.
